Wife is cold.

[Jeremy Henry]

I have a 2004 Explorer and this last weekend we went on a road trip and my wife was cold on the passenger side she said she could feel cold air coming on her legs and feet. Is their a quick fix? I've read things about the a/c system not working well but we don't care when its 28' outside

 

[lincolnshibuya]

the famous recirculate/fresh air door probably is broken and fall off. it will let air outside to go through your cabin. it will also affect your fan blower speed when in max (you will not notice any abrupt change in air speed coming out of the vent)

 

[Jeremy Henry]

If I take that door out will I freeze?

 

[lincolnshibuya]

no

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274510

 

[Jeremy Henry]

I took it out we will see how it does.....

 

[Jeremy Henry]

It worked!!

 

[relaxusa1]

I found on my 2003 Ford explorer that the door that appeared to be broken and had fallen into the bottom was not broken, the shaft had just backed out of the door, I put the shaft back in door, then
I made sure shaft could not back out again. I will tell you it required pulling the dash. It took me about 8 hours start to finish. I also own the Ford Service manual which was needed to locate all of the bolts for removing the dash. There is a bolt into the dash under the defrost vent and another that comes through the firewall. Then you have your main bolts drivers and passenger side.

 

[r3bl]

Jeremy what did you to fix the problem. I read over the guides from the links and there were numerous ways to fix it. I am having the same problem as you cold air blowing in winter.

 

[Jeremy Henry]

I took out the door that was blocking to fan. So now I have full air. But my wife said last night on the way home she could still feel cold air down by her legs. So I don't know what to do.....

 

[lincolnshibuya]

You need to block the air duct outside, its just under the windshield wiper cowl. a duct tape will work. I have mine sealed with a rubber since I have no plans on repairing that fresh air vent, I found no issues with that closed.

 

[rocco123]

Others secure the door closed and call it good. That's what I did by drilling a hole in the air box after removing the glove box, propping the door up and closed then securing with wire. Much better than letting cold air in.

 

[icepickjazz]

You can also replace the broken part, but you need to take the dash loose. I did it on my 04 and it wasn't that hard. See http://www.denlorstools.com/autoblog/2008/08/2003-ford-explorer-ac-not-cold-enough/

Replacement part is the fresh air door assembly is needed not just the door and it is only available at the Ford dealer. For Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005 the part # is 1L2Z18B259AC.

 

[Jeremy Henry]

If I close the vent outside wont the defrost not work?